Cigar holder apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present cigar holder device is provided for holding cigars.

FIELD OF THE APPARATUS

The present cigar holder apparatus relates generally to an improved cigar holder which is a conveniently carried device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional cigar holders are bulky and inconvenient to use once the cigar burns down to a nub of its original length.

What is needed is a cigar holder which allows users to smoke the nub section of the cigar. Also what is needed is a conveniently carried device which allows users to smoke the nub section of the cigar.

SUMMARY OF THE APPARATUS

It is therefore an object of the present apparatus to provide a cigar holder which can be folded into a conveniently carried device. Further, a non-folding cigar holder is also provided.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the apparatus, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which preferred embodiments of the apparatus are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the figures are for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the apparatus. The various features of novelty which characterize the apparatus are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The apparatus resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the apparatus in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the apparatus that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present apparatus. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present apparatus.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the national patent office(s) and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the apparatus of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the apparatus in any way.

Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatus will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIGS. 9A to 9F is a sequence of operation of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a top edge view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 16 is an exploded front view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 17 is an exploded rear view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus in a use position.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus uncovered in the use position.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the alternate cigar holder apparatus in the use position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a cigar holder 100 which can be folded into a conveniently carried device.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1-10, the cigar holder 100 is comprised of a cover 110, an upper base 120, a lower base 130, a sliding holder 140, a spring 150, first slide pin 160, second slide pin 161, first spring pin 162 a, and second spring pin 162 b.

Cover 110 includes a cover first side 114 a, a cover second side 114 b, wherein each cover includes a cover spring hole 112 and a cover slide pin hole 116. The cover 110 also includes a gap 111 formed between the cover first side 114 a and the cover second side 114 b and an attaching portion 115 for securing the cigar holder 100 to other devices.

The upper base 120 and the lower base 130 are identical.

The upper base 120 includes an upper base opening 121, an upper base pin channel 122, and an upper base spring channel (not shown).

The lower base 130 includes a lower base opening 131, a lower base pin channel 132, and a lower base spring channel 133.

The sliding holder 140 includes a sliding holder opening 141 and a pin receiver 142.

As indicated at least in FIG. 10, the first spring pin 162 a, and second spring pin 162 b are inserted into their respective holes in cover 110 and securely surround spring 150 so that as the cover 110 moves with respect to the cover upper base 120 and cover a lower base 130, spring 150 extends or retracts.

As indicated at least in FIG. 9A thru FIG. 9F, the first slide pin 160 and second slide pin 161 are inserted through the cover 110, upper base 120, and a lower base 130 and bind the sliding holder 140 to the movement of the cover 110.

Specifically, FIG. 9A shows the cigar holder apparatus in a closed position.

FIG. 9B shows the cigar holder apparatus 100 in a partially open position where the first slide pin 160 and second slide pin 161 (not shown) has translated a portion of the way along the lower base pin channel 132 and upper base pin channel 122. With this movement of the cover 110, the sliding holder 140 also translates and a portion of it is visible in the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131.

As shown in FIG. 9C, when the cover 110 is translated away (i.e. slid by the user) from the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131, the sliding holder 140 is no longer positioned within the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131.

With the sliding holder 140 position outside of the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131, a user of the cigar holder apparatus 100 inserts a portion of a cigar (not shown) into the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131 and as the user releases the cover 110, the spring 150 urges the sliding holder 140 back towards the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131 thereby securing the cigar between the sliding holder 140 and an inner area of both the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131 as suggested in FIG. 9E.

FIG. 9F shows that with no cigar between the sliding holder 140 and the inner area of both the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131, the sliding holder opening 141 will align with the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131 due to the force of the spring 150 which continually urges the sliding holder 140 towards the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131.

To release a cigar held within the cigar holder apparatus 100 a user simply slides (translates) the cover 110 away from the upper base opening 120 and the lower base opening 131.

By rotating the cover 110 back to its initial closed position as shown in FIG. 9A the user can fold the cigar holder apparatus 100 into a conveniently carried device.

As shown in at least FIGS. 11-20, is an alternate embodiment of the cigar holder 200. Cigar holder 200 generally includes a case body 201, a case ring 210, a case attachment loop 205, a case ring opening 230, a cover 300, a cover slot 310, a support ring 400, and a push button 500 attached to a surface of a holder bar 700. Inside the cigar holder 200 are a variety of components, as explained in more detail below, for securely holding a cigar (or other component to be held) in the case ring opening 230 when the holder bar 700 is translated to abut the cigar or held component.

In a non-use position the push button 500 is positioned approximate the case attachment loop 205 and the case ring opening 230 is unoccupied (see FIG. 11).

In the use position, the cigar (not shown) (or other component to be held) is inserted into the case ring opening 230 and the push button 500 is pressed and translated along the cover slot 310 until the holder bar 700 abuts the cigar or component to be held. Once the cigar or component to be held is snugly abutted by the holder bar 700, the push button 500 is released and the holder bar 700 continues to securely retain the cigar or component to be held. This allows cigar smokers to smoke the cigar down to a minimal length (a nub) without risk of burning their fingers.

To release the cigar or component to be held, the push button 500 is translated to a position approximate the case attachment loop 205 until the cigar or component to be held no longer abuts the holder bar 700.

As shown in FIGS. 16-19 the components of the cigar holder 200 further includes a support surface 710 provide at a distal end of the holder bar 700. This holder surface 710 abuts the cigar or component to be held when the cigar holder 200 is being used to retain a cigar or component to be held.

When the cigar holder 200 is not being used to retain a cigar or component to be held, the holder surface 710 can be retracted into the cigar holder 200 as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14.

For use of the cigar holder 200, the holder bar 700 is translated to abut the cigar or component to be held by pressing and moving the push button 500 towards the case ring 210.

As shown in at least FIGS. 16, 17, and 19, on a proximal end of the holder bar 700 is a least one row of serrated spaced apart teeth 720 which move along with the movement of the holder bar 700.

Positioned with the case body 201 is at least one lock spring 600 which engages holder bar serrated spaced apart teeth 720 as the holder bar 700 translates. As the holder bar 700 is translated, a lock spring nub 605 on the lock spring 600 seats within the spaces of the serrated spaced apart teeth 720 to incrementally secure the holder bar 700 in the selected position.

Each lock spring 600 is positioned within the case body 201 on an inner tab 215 of the case body 201. Additionally, a spring guide 225 within the case body 201 helps align the lock spring 600 with the serrated spaced apart teeth 720 of the holder bar 700.

The flexibility of the lock spring 600 allows the lock spring nub 605 on the lock spring 600 to seat and unseat within the spaces of the serrated spaced apart teeth 720 as the holder bar 700 is translated towards or away from the case ring 210.

As shown in at least FIG. 16-19, the cover 300 encloses the translating and locking mechanisms of the cigar holder 200. The cover slot 310 of the cover 300 helps guide the movement of the push button 500.

The cover 300 may further include a cover attachment loop 305 so that the cigar holder 200 can be attached to an external object such as a keyring (not shown). While the cover attachment loop 305 is shown at a proximal end of the cover 300, it is understood the cover attachment loop 305 can be positioned at any location on the cover 300.

The case body 201 may further include a case attachment loop 205 so that the cigar holder 200 can be attached to an external object such as a keyring (not shown). While the case attachment loop 205 is shown at a proximal end of the case body 201, it is understood the case attachment loop 205 can be positioned at any location on the case body 201.

Preferably the cigar holder 200 includes both a cover attachment loop 305 and a case attachment loop 205 aligned cooperatively.

At the distal end of the cigar holder 200, the support ring 400 is aligned with and connected to at least the case ring 210 to help retain holder bar 700 and the cigar or component to be held.

It is understood this inventor anticipates the instant invention can be comprised of a variety of known material including, but not limited to plastic, paper, foam, natural materials, biodegradable materials, recyclable materials, metals, liquids, and tangible compounds as well as any matter in a permanent or transitory state.

Further this inventor anticipates the instant invention can be made of clear material, opaque material, textured material, or reactive material (sensitive to chemicals, light, temperature, pressure, distance, or time) or a variety of known materials including wood, rubber, metal, or plastic, as well as from any suitable combination of appropriate materials.

Further this inventor anticipates the instant invention can be made into a variety of shapes beyond the shapes provided in the Figures.

The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable one having skill in the art to practice the apparatus without undue experimentation, and provides the best mode of practicing the apparatus presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this apparatus, it is not intended to limit the apparatus to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the apparatus. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

Accordingly, the proper scope of the present apparatus should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cigar holder apparatus comprising; a cover; an upper base pivotally attached to the cover; a lower base pivotally attached to the cover; a sliding holder attached to the cover, upper base, and lower base; a spring attached to the cover, upper base, and lower base; a first slide pin attached to the cover, upper base, and lower base; a second slide pin attached to the cover, upper base, and lower base; first spring pin attached to the cover; and a second spring pin attached to the cover; wherein the cover can be rotated from a closed position into an in-use position, and wherein in the in-use position the sliding holder secures the cigar within openings in the upper base and lower base.
 2. A cigar holder apparatus comprising; a case body 201 having a case ring 210 and a case ring opening 230, a cover 300 attached to the case body 201, a cover slot 310 on the case cover 300, a support ring 400 attached to the case ring 210, and a push button 500 attached to a surface of a holder bar 700, wherein the holder bar 700 is positioned between the case body 201 and the cover
 300. 